Daily Devotional for July 27, 2022

Ben is a very fine man with a great sense of humor.  
 
The bad news is, this past Sunday, Ben fell in our parking lot. The good news is, outside of a cut on his forehead, he’s in pretty good shape.
 
Yesterday, as Ben and I were talking on the phone, I asked if he had any stitches.  He said, “My face is a real mess.  I am no longer the best-looking man in the church.  Now, you are.”
 
I started to explain to Ben that even before he fell, I was still the best-looking man in the church, but, because he was pretty banged up from the fall, I decided to let the moment pass.
 
This got me thinking.
 
Not everything that rushes through my brain needs to come out of my mouth.  Silence really is golden, or as Shakespeare would have said, “Discretion is the better part of valor.”
 
There may come a day in your life when someone says they are better looking than you are.  Don’t take the bait.
 
Solomon’s wise way of saying this is, “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.”  (Proverbs 21:23)
 
My, not as wise but much more graphic way of saying this is, “Don’t let your big mouth overload your tiny hiney.”
 
Always remember to think before you speak.  That will keep you out of trouble.
 
Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me use my words wisely and sparingly.  I pray what I say always glorifies you.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.
 
Looking back over my life, I am convinced much of it would have been much easier if I had put my brain in gear prior to shifting my mouth into overdrive.
 
Don’t be me.
 
Also, just for the record, once Ben’s stitches are removed and he’s healed up, I am going to let him think he’s the best-looking man in the church, but we all know the truth.
 
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins